Sounds of music to fill Osseo streets June 23

This sixth annual Osseo Marching Band Festival takes place Saturday, June 23, through the streets of Osseo. This is an all-band parade in which area marching bands perform and are judged.

Also included in the day’s activities are: a Festival Breakfast Buffet in the morning and an Awards Ceremony after the parade.

The Osseo Marching Band Festival has become one of the premier street-marching competitions in the state, according to the festival’s website. A six-person judging panel from Tri-State Judging will oversee the competition.

Everyone is welcome to attend any or all of the Osseo Marching Band Festival events. Most events are free unless otherwise noted. The day’s activities include the following.

FESTIVAL BREAKFAST BUFFET

The Festival Breakfast Buffet is served at the Osseo Junior High School cafeteria, 10223 93rd Ave. N. in Osseo, and is a fundraiser for the event. Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

Tickets are available at the door. Cost is $8 per person. Free refills are also offered.

PARADE

This year’s parade starts at noon, after the whistle blows.

Kevin Rebman, Chairman of the Osseo Marching Band Festival Committee said, "We have confirmed that there will be a total of 15 marching units."

The line-up includes the Osseo-Maple Grove Legion/VFW colorguard, Robbinsdale City Marching Band (Honor band), 11 high school competing bands, Osseo Senior High Marching Band (host band) and the Osseo Alumni Band.

The parade route starts at the intersection of Sixth Avenue N.E. and Second Street N.E. The route will cross Central Avenue at Second Street N.E., head north on First Avenue N.W. and take a left at Fifth Street N.W., ending at the Osseo Senior High School parking lot.

Central Avenue will only be shut down when a band is marching across.

The judging area will be at Second Street N.E. and First Avenue N.E. near the Osseo-Maple Grove Press building.

There are also four spots along the parade route where the bands perform.

Rebman said the first of the key spots is at the warm area, located along Second Street N.E. between Sixth Avenue N.E. and Fourth Avenue N.E. The second area is at the judging area next to the funeral home and Osseo-Maple Grove Press building. The third performance zone is at the TV area, which is behind Duffy’s Bar and Grill. The final performance is at the finale zone, which is going into the high school parking lot.

AWARDS CEREMONY

The Osseo Marching Band Festival awards ceremony will take place in the Osseo Senior High School Stadium after the marching competition is complete at about 3 p.m.

Awards will be made for first, second and third place bands in three classes (Class A, AA and AAA). Awards will also be given for other "best" categories like Best Drumline, Best Winds, Best Colorguard and of course, Grand Champion.